Flexible vibration module for snap in attachment to a grommet embedded in a compression wrap

ABSTRACT

A flexible vibrating module with flexible radiating arms outwardly projecting around the module, with each arm having an associated coin motor which can optionally be operated at high frequency or low frequency or pulsing frequency, is shown in combination with a wrap having a snap in flexible grommet for the module to consistently orient properly the module with respect to a patient&#39;s muscles or joints.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of nonprovisional application U.S. Ser.No. 15/832,097, filed on Dec. 5, 2017, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vibration pad or module and a compressionwrap for releasable attachment to the pad. Both are designed forvibration therapy of muscles and joints afflicted with aching, sorenessor injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both vibration therapy and compression wraps for muscles and joints havebeen around for some time, and both have been used with some degree oftherapeutic success. While there are available massaging devices formuscles and joints, their success, or lack of it depend greatly upontheir combined effectiveness, that is both the effectiveness of the wrapand the effectiveness of the vibration therapy. Each affects the otherand collectively they affect the therapeutic success of the device/wrapin question.

With miniaturizing of vibration inducing modules the ability to be farmore creative in developing vibration modules and wraps that affectivelypenetrate muscles and joints with vibrations and/or pulsations hasincreased tremendously. For examples of vibration wraps and or gloves,see the commonly owned and assigned U.S. Patent Brown et al. U.S. Pat.No. 9,775,769 issued Oct. 3, 2017, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by this reference. The Brown U.S. Patent '769 relates toparticularly to an orthotic compression glove for massaging the fingersand digits. It uses coin motors with a rechargeable battery, with theunit embedded in a stretchable compression glove. For an example of avibration knee wrap, one may look to Waldon U.S. Pat. No. 8,753,299 formassaging knees with a compression wrap that utilizes vibrating motorssurrounding the kneecap.

Holding vibrating motors in a fixed location in a wrap regardless of theflexing of a joint to many different orientations offers somedifficulty. That is to say, to enhance the vibration effectiveness thecoin motors need to be juxtaposed closely to the muscle or joint in acorrect orientation.

For the above reasons, some efforts have been made to produce vibrationmodules to flex with a moving joint for example of an athlete. In thisregard see published PCT application, international publication numberWO2016/051414A1, published Apr. 7, 2016. The corresponding publication,or more accurately corrected publication of the corresponding U.S.application is U.S. 2016/0302996, published Oct. 20, 2016. It relates toa wearable vibration device that employs a soft wearable module todeliver high energy vibration deep in the muscle and soft tissue whenplaced inside a liner. It is lined up with holes of an alignment wrapand Velcro straps are then tensioned to hold the wearable module againstthe skin. The problem is such units do not hold firmly and alignment canbe jostled out of place, particularly by vigorous athletic motion.

With the developing coin motor technology and compression wraptechnology there has been demonstration of a particular need for animproved flexible module or pad that will allow the pad to flexibly bendwith the limb or joint to keep the vibrating motors tightly positionedagainst the wearer's skin, even in athletic movement.

Further there is a need for a unit which allows modification of thevibration frequency in a range of low to high and if deemed necessaryeven pulsed.

Further, there is a need for a vibration pad that can be attached to acompression wrap in a manner which assures that the orientation willconstantly be the same when the two are combined together, thusproviding assurance that proper and consistent orientation is achievedwith each application of the wrap to a patient.

A primary objective of the present invention is to fulfill the aboveneeds. Particularly the above mentioned specific needs are fulfilled bya unit having a bottom and top housing made of flexible polymer capableof translating vibration throughout the unit and from there directly tosoft tissue or joints of a patient.

An important further feature addressed in the present invention is thearrangement of the array of motors arranged in a radial patternsurrounding the targeted pain area and the attachment techniqueinvolving a vibration pad pressed fit into a grommet secured to the wrapwith the orientation of the grommet assuring that the vibration moduleis properly placed. It is therefore assured as secure and in aconsistent and correct location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a flexible vibration module that has thecapability of adjustable vibration speed and if desired pulsatingvibration with the unit being adapted for direct attachment to aflexible grommet that properly assures vibration pad positioning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the flexible vibration pad.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flexible vibration pad.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the flexible vibration pad.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of how the flexible vibration pad mayclick into the grommet of a shin wrap.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the component parts of the flexiblevibration pad from the top-down perspective.

FIG. 6 shows another exploded view of the component parts of theflexible vibration pad from the bottom-up perspective.

FIG. 7 shows an arm wrap top view with a click-in grommet.

FIG. 8 shows a knee wrap top view with a click-in grommet.

FIG. 9 shows the bottom view of arm wrap of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows the bottom view of the knee wrap of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the flexible vibration pad clicked in thegrommet of the wrap.

FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of FIG. 2 along line 12-12 of FIG.2.

FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the arm wrap of FIG. 7 with the flexiblevibration pad clicked in the grommet of the arm wrap of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the arm wrap of FIG. 7 with the pad clickedin the grommet of the shin wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is generally shown in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6 as itrelates to the particulars of construction of vibration pad or module10. FIG. 7-14 demonstrate the wrap and flexible grommet that allows thevibration module 10 to be snapped into location within the wrap forassurance of proper position with respect to a wearer's muscles and/orjoint.

The vibration module 10 is comprised of a housing 12 having an on/offswitch 14, and a plurality of radiating flexible arms 16, 18, 20, 22, 24and 26 that radiate outwardly from housing 12. Terminal ends of arms 16,18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 house coin motors 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 whichare electrically connected by electrical wire connectors 40, 42, 44, 46,48 and 50 to printed circuit board (PCB) 70, as is lithium battery 72which also connects to electrical plug in 75 on printed circuit board70. Mode switch 14 (push button on/off) allows the frequency to bevaried from low to high frequency to vibration pulsing, depending on thenumber of times on/off switch 14 is pushed.

Vibrating coin motors are known and are available from a variety ofsources. One example suitable for use herein are those described in ourearlier U.S. Pat. No. 9,775,769A suitable supplier of those is ShenzhenJingkefa Electronics Company Limited a battery suitable for thevibrating motors is lithium ion batteries such as a 3.7-volt lithium ionbattery. Frequencies suitable for the vibration therapy are known andgenerally have been described as within the range of 20-50 Hz. A desiredLED display as shown at 74, 76, 78, and 80 can also be housed withinhousing 12 used to indicate use mode and on/off.

Thus, to operate the unit one simply turns on the on/off switch 14 bypressing it, and then selects from the mode by how many pushes which isindicated by LED's 74, 76, 78, and 80.

The radiating arms of the vibration pad 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 aremade of a flexible material, usually a polymeric material such as asilicon polymer. Housing 12 is made from thermoplastic elastomericmaterial, commonly referred to as TPE that is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

As illustrated, the pad itself is preferably made of two parts of thesame material a top 60 and a bottom 62 which are joined together at amidline seam to encapsulate the coin motors (28 to 38) and theirelectrical wire connectors (40 to 50).

The construction of the top cover 60 utilizes an over molding process tojoin the flexible silicone cover to a rigid internal frame 59. Theinternal frame 59 prevents migration or damage of the internally housedcentral electronics while also adding durability to the molded inFlexLOCK® channel. The use of over molding allows one to seamlesslyintegrate rigid material 59 into the Pad design while still offering acomfortable and flexible one-piece top cover, 60.

Top cover 60 is created with dual hardness produced by a multi stagemolding process allows a firm anchor for the interlocking channel andsecure fit of PCB housing interface. Using a multi stage process allowsus to control the hardness and flexibility in specific zones of the tophousing. Arms of top cover consist of a lower hardness material 80-85shore A hardness and gradually increases to 85-90 Shore A at the heartof pad, providing a semi-rigid core structure. The Greater hardnessprovides structure and shape memory to the flexible pad 10. Hardmaterial acts as an isolator that reflects the vibration down towardsuser's extremity. Hard top cover 60 houses and protects the internal PCB70 and battery, 72.

Bottom cover 62 is lesser hardness or 70-72 Shore A hardness. The thinwalls maximize vibration and flexibility. Soft material with raisedsurfaces grip to user's extremity and maximizes the translation ofvibration to user. The thin walls also allow us to maximize the energyproduced by the coin motor in an efficient draw that produces thedesired run time 40-45 minutes with a small compact 3.4 v power supply.

Module assembly uses a silicone compatible adhesive coupled with moldedinterlocking channels to allow for a sanitary sealed channel without theneed for additional hardware or assembly. The use of flexible siliconecompatible adhesive and molded channels allows for durable assemblywithout loss in flexibility from additional hardware or fasteners.

As earlier described, this combination of the flexible vibration module10 and wraps may be used with a variety of differing wraps, manyreferred to as compression wraps. It can be used in combination forexample with a knee wrap, an elbow wrap, a calf or shin wrap, an ankleor foot wrap, upper thigh wraps, lower back wraps, wrist wraps, andshoulder wraps. The wrap is a non-limiting feature as long as it has thesnap in grommet as for example illustrated in FIGS. 7-14. The flexiblegrommet 56 is particularly shown in a snapped in relationship with thevibration module 10 in FIG. 11 and in cross section through the housingin FIG. 12. FIG. 13 illustrates the inside or skin side of the vibrationmodule bottom and snapped in relationship ready for wrapping. FIG. 14illustrates the top side with only the housing 12 top showing; theinterior part is in dotted line relationship for the flexible arm 16,18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 as lead line 80 demonstrates. As is illustratedin FIG. 11 the housing 12 has rim 15 which snaps into the grommetholding the module in place. Because flexible grommet 56 has flexibleedges or skirt 57, it also can be snapped out by simply pushing back.However, it must be held correctly in the desirable orientation positionby the snap-in snap-out relation with top of housing 12 of the vibrationmodule 10.

The flexible grommet 56 click-in system consists of a molded channel inthe top housing of the vibration module 15 that will lock into theflexible silicone grommet skirt 57. The flexible grommet 56 can be sewnor bonded to a wide variety of fabrics and allows the vibration moduleto seamlessly integrate into braces, wraps, and clothing. The grommetitself, 56 is highly flexible and capable of flexing and stretching toform around virtually any part of the body without effecting fit orcomfort. The “press to lock” system allows the vibration module to bequickly and easily moved to different wraps or parts of the body. TheFlexLOCK grommet 56 holds vibration module 10 securely in place duringfitting and placement ensuring that the user can easily apply the pad tothe treatment area and also prevents migration during use. The FlexLOCKgrommet 56 also utilizes a pass-through open face allowing access to thePCB 70 interface and charging port during treatment. Users can easilyidentify mode and battery life as well as make adjustments without theneed to remove the unit.

As illustrated at the ends of the wraps FIGS. 7 and 8 are typical hookand loop fasteners of the Velcro® brand type 82 used to secure the wrapin place on a patient's limb.

In the actual operation the unit works as follows. Operation module 10,or more accurately the top of its housing 12 is pushed through flexiblegrommet 56 and snapped into place in skirt 57 so that it is removablysecured to the wrap for example 52 arm wrap and 54 knee wrap. The wrapis then place on the limb at the desired location with the strapswrapped around and hooked tightly. On/off button 14 is pushed and one ofthe mode switches 74, 76, 78 selected and vibration begins. Battery 72is recharged as needed by a recharge receptacle 75.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 the bottom of the vibration pad 62exterior surface is textured to assist in place holding against the skinof a patient.

The unit is held securely and cannot rotate freely or move out ofposition because of the removable but secure holding of grommet 56. Ittherefore can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all ofits stated objectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration module, comprising: a vibrationmodule housing; said housing comprising a fastener, an internal rigidframe and a flexible cover over-molded onto the internal rigid frame; arechargeable battery with an on/off switch in said housing; a pluralityof flexible arms radiating outwardly from said housing; and each of saidplurality of flexible arms having the capability of bending with awearer's joints terminating in a coin motor which is electricallyconnected to said rechargeable battery; said vibration module includinga molded channel supported by a rigid frame of the housing and asilicone polymer grommet fastener skirt to provide capability of lockingsaid rigid frame of the housing to said silicone polymer grommetfastener skirt to allow said housing to be removably secured to acompression wrap attached to said silicone polymer grommet fastenerskirt.
 2. The vibrating module of claim 1 wherein the on/off switch hasa high frequency vibration setting, a low vibration setting and a pulsesetting.
 3. The vibration module of claim 2 wherein the rechargeablebattery is a lithium ion battery.
 4. The vibration module of claim 3wherein said vibration module housing includes a printed circuit board,electrically connected to said lithium ion battery and said coin motors.5. The vibration module of claim 4 wherein said flexible cover has anupper top portion and a bottom portion which are fixed together to coversaid coin motors, said rechargeable battery and said printed circuitboard.
 6. The vibration module of claim 5 wherein the upper top portionof the vibration module flexible cover and the bottom portion of saidvibration module flexible cover are of different hardness.
 7. Thevibration module of claim 6 wherein the bottom portion of said moduleflexible cover is of lesser hardness than the top portion of saidvibration module flexible cover.